Girl (8) dead and boy (11) seriously injured after crash in Co Galway

Children out cycling near their home in Ballinasloe when they were hit by a car

An 11-year-old boy is in a serious condition in hospital on Sunday night after a collision on a road in Co Galway on Sunday that killed his eight-year-old sister.

Gardaí named the dead girl as Bridget Ward and said her brother, Patrick had non-life-threatening injuries.

The children were cycling near their home on the R358 Ballinasloe to Ahascragh road just before noon, when they were struck by a car. It is understood the car also hit a tree but the occupants were uninjured.

The children were taken to Portiuncula Hospital where Bridget was later pronounced dead. The family were notified and went to the hospital.

Gardaí are investigating the incident and the road remained closed on Sunday evening as forensic crash investigators examined the scene.

The collision occurred on a straight, undulating stretch of road not far from the roadside site where the children, members of a Traveller family, live. Weather conditions were good at the time of the incident.

Micheal Finnerty, a Ballinsaloe-based Fine Gael county councillor, who has been in touch with the family, said they were “in shock”.

“For this to happen at any time is bad; for it to happen on Easter Sunday is unimaginable,” he said. “This will resonate with everyone here for a long time.”

Fianna Fáil TD Ann Rabbitte said it was a “tragic” and “numbing” incident.

“You can’t imagine it. The whole place is absolutely stunned by it. On a beautiful Easter Sunday in Galway. It’s absolutely tragic.”

The crash happened a few kilometres from the scene of another incident, which led to the deaths of two local women, a year ago.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the collision to contact Ballinasloe Garda station on 0909 631890.